HERITAGE bosses are warning a number of sites across the region could be at risk of being lost forever.

Historic England has published its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2021.

The Register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Over the last year, 13 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been removed from the register.

Historic England also gave £1.5million in grants to historic places in the East of England throughout the past year, plus another £928,650 for lifeline grants from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

These emergency grants have kick-started essential repairs and maintenance at many precious historic sites during the pandemic.

However, a total of 26 sites in the East of England have also been added to the register because of concerns about their condition.

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Currently on the register are a number of heritage sites in the Braintree District.

They include Silver End, the parish church of St Mary Magdalene in Wethersfield, Codham Mill and Mill House in Wethersfield, Sible Hedingham South and Swan Street in Sible Hedingham and the Circular cropmark at Ferriers Farm near Bures Hamlet.

Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I’m delighted that so many famous landmarks have been removed from the Heritage at Risk register in 2021.

“We’ve supported the sector throughout the pandemic with our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund and it’s great news to see this investment, along with other financial support, having such a positive impact.

“Heritage helps us understand our past and bringing old buildings and sites back into public use helps us to level up communities, create growth and protect these important assets for future generations.”

Tony Calladine, East of England regional director of Historic England, added: “Our heritage is an anchor for us all in testing times.

“Despite the challenges we have all faced recently, this year’s Heritage at Risk register demonstrates that looking after and investing in our historic places can bring communities together, contribute to the country’s economic recovery and help tackle climate change.”